American Diplomacy in Africa and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities

The Jackson Institute for Global Affairs will host a special conversation with U.S. Ambassadors Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Harry K. Thomas, Jr. on “American Diplomacy in Africa and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Thomas-Greenfield retired in 2017 after a 35-year career with the U.S. Foreign Service. From 2013 to 2017 she served as the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, where she led the bureau focused on the development and management of U.S. policy toward sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources (2012-2013), leading a team in charge of the State Department’s 70,000-strong workforce.

Thomas, a current Jackson Senior Fellow, served as ambassador to Zimbabwe (2016-2018), the Philippines (2010-2013) and Bangladesh (2003-2005). He retired in March 2018 with the rank of Career Minister after more than three decades in the Foreign Service. Ambassador Thomas also served as Executive Secretary and Special Assistant to Secretary Rice, Director General of the Foreign Service, Director for South Asia at the National Security Council and Director of the Operations Center.

The conversation will be moderated by Ted Wittenstein, executive director, Johnson Center for the Study of American Diplomacy.